Dale Alfred Savage sentenced for breaking police officer’s leg

A Canberra man broke a police officer’s leg during a scuffle after a high-speed police pursuit. Read why the man avoided full-time jail.

Dale Savage leaves the ACT Law Courts on March 16 2023. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

A man who broke a police officer's leg after a high-speed pursuit has avoided further time behind bars.

At 11.12pm on July 17 last year, police observed Dale Savage, 41, driving a black Honda Civic at 90km/h in a 60 zone on Northbourne Ave, Turner.

Police signalled for Savage to stop, but he put his arm out of his window and gave the middle finger before continuing to speed on the major road.

A pursuit began and Savage turned on to the Federal Hwy, ultimately driving past the NSW/ACT border.

He then drove back into the territory and, when police officers attempted to use stop sticks, drove at officers three times.

Dale Savage broke a police officer's leg after a high-speed pursuit that spilt into the NSW/ACT border. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Savage’s car was hit by the stop sticks yet he continued to drive as his tyres deflated.

His car stopped abruptly at the intersection of Northbourne Ave and Antill St, Dickson.

He left the vehicle with his hands up, yet when an officer came to arrest him, Savage pushed him out of the way, causing him to slip and break his leg.

Savage began to run away but officers used tasers to subdue him.

After his arrest police found a 25cm serrated kitchen knife in the pocket of his jumper, and a pair of scissors in his trouser pocket.

A search of his car found a 35cm kitchen knife on the passenger’s seat.

Police used stop sticks to deflate the tyres of Dale Savage's car. Picture: ACT Policing

Savage pleaded guilty to six charges: causing grievous bodily harm, failing to stop for police, driving at police, possessing a weapon with intent, drug driving and aggravated reckless driving.

When Savage appeared at ACT Supreme Court’s Drug and Alcohol sentencing list on Thursday he had spent eight months remanded in custody.

The court was packed with police officers showing solidarity to their colleague.

Quoting the victim impact statement, Acting Justice Richard Refshauge said the incident took the officer to the darkest part of his life.

“I went to work as usual expecting to come home to my heavily pregnant fiancee,” he said.

“I have not had a full night’s sleep since surgery.

“I was unable to walk my wife and child out of hospital … I was unable to hold my child.”

Dale Savage leaves the ACT Law Courts on March 16 2023. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Acting Justice Refshauge said Savage had an “unremarkable upbringing”, but noted prior to the incident his mental health had been impacted by the sudden death of his sister.

He said Savage had a 17-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, and had a five-month-old daughter, born while he was in custody, with his wife.

Acting Justice Refshauge said cannabis was detected in Savage’s system after his arrest and said he had a history of using alcohol and substance abuse.

For the six charges the judge sentenced Savage to a three years and four month suspended jail sentence to be served by a treatment order.

Under the order, Savage will be required to access drug and alcohol treatment as directed by corrections.

Acting Justice Refshauge told him the treatment order “would not be easy” and he would not hesitate sending him to jail if he failed to meet the requirements of the order.

“This spree of criminality is totally unacceptable and left people suffering,” he said.

“(You have) 21 offences on your record.

“If you want to be a father and see (your daughter) grow up you need to address this.

“People here are trained to help you but only you can do it.”